2014 Thornton Family Reunion

From as far away as Oregon and Florida, family members gathered at White's Chapel, just south of Plano, Kentucky, to interact with Jesse Benton and Susie Cooper Thornton descendants and their families. This Labor Day weekend tradition has persisted for four decades.  The last member of the first generation of Thornton children, Winnie Carene Thornton Copas, passed away on January 2, 2014.

Danijela Lewis and daughter Evelina are entertained by grandfather, Bill Lewis, husband of Diane Thornton Lewis.

Danny White, son of Evelyn Daniel White and grandson of Eva Thornton, with sons.

Bill, Damon, Carter, and Jansen Lewis (husband, son, and grandchildren of Diane Thornton Lewis)

White's Chapel, which has frequently hosted Thornton Family Reunions over the last 40 years.

Bill Lewis and Kitty Baker Sparks, widow of Jesse Willard Thornton.

Tom Reagan, son of Pauline Thornton, chatting with Kitty Baker Sparks.

Gloria Dean Reagan Moore (1935-2003)

Gloria Dean Reagan (seated in chair in photograph) was born in Warren County, KY, to Thomas Odell and Pauline Thornton Reagan. She married William Odell Moore (b: 1933) and had two children: Bonita Kaye (b: 1956) and Mark. Bonita married James Allen Cooper (b: 1954) and had two daughters: Heather Kaye (b: 1977) and Allison Renee (b: 1979). Mark Moore had two sons: Barry Joe and Nick. Most of Dean's grandchildren now have their own growing families, some of whom are pictured below.

Assorted Family Portraits

Anthony Wilson and Liz Cox Thornton and family. Tony has four daughters: Melanie Shawn, Leslie Michelle, Sherry Leigh, and Amy Beth- all of whom now have their own growing families. Tony is the son of Roy Neal and Helen Freas Thornton.

















Fred and Karen Reagan Thomas and family. Karen is the daughter of Joe Tom Reagan and granddaughter of Lillie Pauline Thornton.


















Bill and Hazel Thornton with daughters, Kathy and Janet. Kathy married John Ramsey and has two children: Kari and Jeff. Janet married Dewayne Abelein and has two sons: Travis and Tyler. Bill is the son of Porter and Edna Gaddie Thornton.

Lillie Pauline Thornton

Pauline Thornton was born April 15, 1915, Warren County, KY, to Jesse Benton and Susie Cooper Thornton. She died on Dec. 16, 1997.
















Pauline married Thomas Odell Reagan and had two children: Gloria Dean and Joe Tom.

















Pauline and Odell Reagan on the farm.



















Posing at the shipyard in San Francisco, on a visit to Jess and Pat Thornton, we see Jesse Benton and Lillie Mathias Thornton with Pauline.

Thornton Family Reunion 2005

Bonita Moore Cooper, granddaughter of Lillie Pauline Thornton Reagan, chats with Jean Overstreet Daniel, daughter-in-law of Evaline Thornton Daniel.





Juanita Meredith Thornton, wife of Robert D., Debbie, and Bryan, after being plastered with name tags...






Tony and Liz Cox Thornton; Louie Daniel White, grandson of Evaline Thornton Daniel; and Gary David Daniel, son of Evaline Thornton Daniel.








Debbie White Winebarger, granddaughter of Evaline Thornton.









The Daniels: Jeannie posing with Kim Daniel Bouchey, granddaughter of Evaline Thornton Daniel.














Lewises and Thorntons: (LtoR) Damon and Sue Franklin Lewis; Bill and Diane Thornton Lewis, with Carter; Patrick and Candis Thornton.









Tana Watts Hancock and Sharon Watts Windham, daughters of Patti Joe Thornton, add to the family potluck with a casserole.







Stephen and Denise Clements Thornton.









The spouses: Cloyd Copas, husband of Carene Thornton, discusses Thornton shenanigans with Charles Lewis, husband of Diane Thornton.